Lewis Hamilton’s struggles within the 2025 Method 1 season continued as he suffered an early exit in Dash Qualifying 1 on the Qatar Grand Prix in Lusail, leaving the seven-time world champion to start out the race from 18th place. The disappointing end result comes after a turbulent run of races for Hamilton since his promising begin with Ferrari, underlining the continued challenges he faces in adapting to the brand new crew and equipment.
After delivering a powerful efficiency at the US Grand Prix final month with a fourth-place end, and reaching his greatest qualifying end result as a Ferrari driver with third in Mexico, any optimism surrounding Hamilton’s early momentum has rapidly dissipated. Following these highlights, Lewis Hamilton was hit with setbacks: an eighth-place end in Mexico after a grid penalty, two Q2 eliminations in the course of the Brazil Dash weekend, and a race retirement. In Las Vegas, he certified final however recovered to eighth in the course of the race, exhibiting glimpses of resilience regardless of repeated disappointments.
The Lusail Dash Qualifying end result extends this troublesome streak. Hamilton’s elimination in SQ1 considerably reduces his possibilities of scoring factors within the brief occasion, leaving Ferrari followers involved concerning the crew’s efficiency in Qatar. His 1:22.043 lap was solely marginally sooner than the 2 Alpine drivers, who themselves have solely accrued 22 factors collectively this season. In the meantime, Charles Leclerc, Hamilton’s Ferrari teammate, certified thirteenth in the identical session, however the hole of over four-tenths of a second between the 2 Ferrari drivers highlighted the persevering with disparity in tempo.
The radio silence underlines Hamilton’s low morale
After finishing his last try in SQ1, which left him precariously in fifteenth place earlier than being confirmed in 18th, Lewis Hamilton expressed frustration, noting that the automobile “wouldn’t go any faster.” Whereas this remark was picked up on the F1 world broadcast, what wasn’t aired was his personal alternate with Ferrari race engineer Riccardo Adami. Lewis Hamilton requested, in a tone of resigned disbelief, whether or not his SQ1 exit was confirmed, and Adami merely replied that he would begin 18th. The temporary however telling alternate mirrored the low morale and frustration throughout the Ferrari storage, making it troublesome for Hamilton followers to look at.
Minimal responses in post-session media
In his post-session media interview, Lewis Hamilton gave brief, nearly monosyllabic responses that mirrored his ongoing struggles. When requested how troublesome it had been to drive the Ferrari in Lusail, Hamilton indicated that it was “the identical as at all times,” acknowledging the persistent lack of tempo. When questioned concerning the higher-downforce rear wing he fitted for the session, Hamilton confirmed that it had made no noticeable distinction. In a uncommon try to spotlight one thing optimistic, Hamilton stated solely that “the climate’s good,” underscoring the troublesome psychological and emotional state he’s experiencing this season.
Views from the F1 group
Commentators and former drivers have weighed in on Hamilton’s state of affairs. Martin Brundle emphasised that Lewis Hamilton continues to be in a “privileged” place in comparison with many drivers, however he famous that any intervals of optimism have been short-lived this yr. In the meantime, Max Verstappen, who has expressed sympathy for Hamilton amid his difficult transition from Mercedes to Ferrari, identified that age could also be a consider Hamilton’s present struggles, noting that at 40, the previous world champion might not regain the tempo he as soon as had.
General, Lewis Hamilton’s early exit from Qatar Dash quali, mixed along with his terse radio exchanges and monosyllabic interview responses, paints an image of a driver below stress. Because the weekend progresses, all eyes shall be on how Hamilton can get better within the race itself and whether or not Ferrari can present the required efficiency to assist their seven-time world champion return to the highest of the sector.
Nov 29, 2025
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